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THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NEED AND WANT IS P-D-P

No, it’s not what you are thinking. You hear about that P-D-P acronym and you start thinking political thoughts.

This post is talking, instead, about buying on impulse, or accumulating things that you merely want (at that point) but may not really need. Before you buy anything at all, try and apply the P-D-P acronym.P- Pause

Don’t give in to impulsive buying, no matter the situation. Sure, you could miss some really great deals by not deciding and acting fast, but there are ALWAYS better deals, just like a lost business opportunity ALWAYS brings in it’s wake even better ones.

The fact you miss one deal does not mean better ones would not show up. A good rule of thumb is to always P -ause and spend some time thinking before buying an item, especially if it’s fairly major.

D – Decide
After P-ausing to assess any imminent purchase, the next thing is to take a D-ecision.

What is more important? The initial transient adrenaline rush that accompanies the purchase of a shiny new item, or the more important long-term financial wellness that little drops of savings and investments engender?

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P- Proceed

Once you take that D-ecision, P-roceed according to your D-ecision.

Do you prefer to live like tomorrow may never come, or, should you brush your teeth consistently today to have healty teeth tomorrow?

It makes interesting study to watch how (some) people have to literally struggle with temptation once they get wind of the next resplendent device on the market.

Some rush to buy, provided the money is available (and even when credit is used!) to buy.

I see it, like it, have (access to) money, I buy.

If we realize that what we own don’t define us, and that external things do not provide lasting happiness, then we would be less susceptible to some of the tricks used by marketers to make us part with our money for items that are not strictly necessary.

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Conclusively, before buying, pause and think.

Do I REALLY need it (now)?

Are there alternative better uses for the funds about to be committed?

Are there (cheaper) functional alternative items?

Can I delay gratifying this want?

Once you have applied more of logic ( rather than emotion) on this analysis, you can take your decision… to buy (now) or not.